I took my new 170 out solo last week. What a fun boat!! I was amazed at how much water I had covered in such a short period of time. I had reefed the main as the wind was a good 15-18 knots with white caps just beginning to break. The boat was dry and there was no water coming over the stern even after a power boater had sent a nice wake my way. I made a tiller tamer out of a piece of line as I couldn't let go of the tiller for 1/2 a second without the boat coming into the wind. This was a problem when I tried to go forward to get a drink. I later found out from my dealer that I needed a lot of "vang" and I had none the entire trip. I did confirm that I needed a "long shaft" on the motor as the motor was sucking air with no one in the boat. The wind was blowing into the launch ramp and I bounced off the pilings and rocks around the ramp a few times with no scratches in the plastic. This was a pleasant surprise. This boat is tough, easy to sail for one person and because it is so light, easy for one person to launch and pull back onto a trailer. More next time!
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SHS The Hunter 170
Your comment on the motor shaft was quite relevant. I got lucky and my motor was stolen and I replaced with long shaft. The 170 with roller furling jib is very good for single handed sailing and I had a great year 1999 in Corpus Christi, Tx. A reefing point is essential since winds change constantly and I have been caught in what Texans lovingly call 'Blue Northers'. I too am amazed with the performance of this little boat. I had some instances of driving the rail into the water and bringing it through and out the transom. I am retired and from May through November I got in well over 700 hours of the greatest sailing in calm to rough weather. Hurricane Brett did get my mast as I made a small error when securing the boat for weathering the storm but Dwyer had a replacement to me in a couple of weeks so no big problem. I added the Spinnaker to the boat and found it to be difficult to handle without a second crewmember aboard, but in 3 to 5 knots I made good use of it. I hope you put some more information on the net of your experiences with the 170.
Your comment on the motor shaft was quite relevant. I got lucky and my motor was stolen and I replaced with long shaft. The 170 with roller furling jib is very good for single handed sailing and I had a great year 1999 in Corpus Christi, Tx. A reefing point is essential since winds change constantly and I have been caught in what Texans lovingly call 'Blue Northers'. I too am amazed with the performance of this little boat. I had some instances of driving the rail into the water and bringing it through and out the transom. I am retired and from May through November I got in well over 700 hours of the greatest sailing in calm to rough weather. Hurricane Brett did get my mast as I made a small error when securing the boat for weathering the storm but Dwyer had a replacement to me in a couple of weeks so no big problem. I added the Spinnaker to the boat and found it to be difficult to handle without a second crewmember aboard, but in 3 to 5 knots I made good use of it. I hope you put some more information on the net of your experiences with the 170.
HELP WITH REEFING
HI DON - DID YOUR MAINSAIL COME PRE-REEFED? I HAVE NORTH SAILS ON MY 170, AND ALMOST FLIPPED LAST WEEK. ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO ADD REEFING? HOW MANY POINTS OF TIE-DOWNS, ETC? THANKS! BOB MARONA
HI DON - DID YOUR MAINSAIL COME PRE-REEFED? I HAVE NORTH SAILS ON MY 170, AND ALMOST FLIPPED LAST WEEK. ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO ADD REEFING? HOW MANY POINTS OF TIE-DOWNS, ETC? THANKS! BOB MARONA
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